Southampton 1 Manchester City 3 Match Report

Manchester City returned to winning ways with a victory over Southampton

There are always moments in a season which with hindsight, come to define a team. Today Manchester City weathered a Southampton storm and raced into an unassailable lead. At one point it looked as though the carelessness which has littered recent games would return, but through gritted teeth City powered on.

It was refreshing to see David Silva, Fernandinho and Vincent Kompany all in the team again. There was a feeling of authority about us, the presence of so many key players on the pitch. Surely this was not a side which would crumble under pressure?

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Then City clicked into gear, there was a series of nice passing moves. But it was not all City. Ederson even cheekily beat attackers on his goal line with his feet. He even made at least one World Class save.

The opening goal came from a fine counter attack. Southampton were carved open, Bernardo cut the ball back and Silva scored.

At going a goal behind, City wobbled. Game control was most and there were some worrying moments. It was my intention during the match to watch Lemina as I wondered if he would be worthwhile cover. But these good intentions evaporated as the match hung in the balance.

Zinchenko gave them an equaliser by miscontrolling a simple pass on the edge of the area and for a while it was game on.

But City regained their composure. Sterling raced down the left wing and whipped in a cross which was deflected into the goal. Minutes after the restart and in the dying seconds before half time, Zinchenko fired in a cross and Aguero nodded home.

This was the rarest of things. An Aguero goal away from home with his head.

The second half pulsed around and was characterised by some increasingly desperate tackles on our players. This was like Palace away last season as the referee failed to afford us adequate protection.

Charlie Austin scythed down Fernandinho with intent from being and unbelievably got a yellow card. Hjolberg repeated this and received a deserved red card. To all intents and purposes it appeared as though Southampton were taking their role as a Liverpool feeder club to heart, as they tried their best to diminish our squad.

Guardiola sensibly withdrew Fernandinho from further harm. I hope he was unscathed and will be fit for Liverpool on Thursday. We certainly look a different team with him in the side.

As the dust settles on this result, there were some real positives to take. We won a game and put some ghosts to rest. There were signs we were beginning to click into place and much of the match was a joy to watch.

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Grit and guile will be enough to see us through and were a worthy way to see out the wonderful 2018.

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